Hello! My name is Soncerrae Davis and I am a recent graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Arts Management. I will be spending my summer this year working for Community for New Direction in their Youth Summer Day Camps. CND’s mission is to empower individuals to achieve their potential through innovative programs and positive relationships. Their primary purpose is to prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, as well as violence in youth served by their programs.

So why is someone like me, who studied to work with artists, spending my summer working with kids in a summer camp? I have been asked this question more than once during my first week working here. During my time at OSU, I had countless internships and jobs in the arts in Columbus that I received priceless experiences from. When I heard about this fellowship, I was tempted to apply to work at the arts center but I thought to myself, “what is something new I can gain from working at another arts center?” and I was struggling to find answers.

When I discovered CND and explored their organization, I realized that this was my opportunity to take everything I know about helping creatives and put it into something that I have always had love for: children. I am so blessed that the folks at CND and The Columbus Foundation have given me this opportunity to work so closely with our at-risk youth here in Columbus.

All children deserve to live full, happy, and healthy lives. It is my personal belief that the arts can help anyone regardless of the situation. CND is a prominent entity in Columbus making a real impact on the lives of youth here in Columbus and I can say that I am so excited to go to work every morning because I know my work makes a real difference. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this summer has in store for me at CND.